gollett



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. GOLLETT. WATER GLOSBT TANK.

No. 365,049. Patented June 21, 1887.

(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J. COLLETT.

WATER ULOSET TANK.

No. 365,049. Patented June 21,1887.

N. Pneus Pham-Limagmpm. wmmgnm o. c.

UNITED STATES JOSEPH OOLLETT, OF BROOKLYN, ASSIGNOR TO THE MAYOR,

BRASS VORKS, OF'NEV YORK, N. Y.

LANE oo.

WATER-CLOSET TANK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 365,049, dated June 21, 1887.

Application filed Marcil 17, 1886. Serial N0..l1.f)5,^198. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J osnrH COLLETT, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident of Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tater-Closet Tanks or Cisterns, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to valves and valveoperating means for water-closet tanks, and has for one object to provide a simple and effrcient contrivance which may be used for giving both a preliminary and an after flush; or, by a slight change in the arrangement of valvelifting devices, for giving only an after-flush, as may be desired; and my invention has for a further object to provide a simple and effi` cient valvular device that is adapted to seat itself sufficiently slowly after having been lifted to permit a predetermined quantity of water to discharge from the tank.

Previous to my invention valve-operating mechanisms have been employed for giving both a preliminary and an alter ilush, and

also for giving only an after-Hush; and valvu lar contrivances have also been constructed and used, with means to retard their descent; but in all such priorconstructions there has been a comparative complication of parts or an inability of the contrivances to eftectually perform the work for which they were in tended.

My invention consists in certain novel features of construction, all of which will be hereinafter more fully described, and particuiarly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side sectional elevation of a water-closet tank fitted with my improved valve and valveoperating mechanism. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view of the valve-lifting devices. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail view ot' a portion of the main working-lever. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the valve, valveseat, and overtlow-pipe. Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal section taken at the line a: :v of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal section taken at the line y y of Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional elevation ofthe discharge-valve. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the upper portionof the valve ou an increased scale.

In the several figures the same part will be found designated by the same numeral or letter of reference.

A is the tank, which is of usual construction, and is provided with the customaryl supply-pipe, a, cock b, and ball-iloat and lever c. Upon the tank is secured in any o1" the known ways a stand or bracket, 1, to the upper portion of which is pivoted at 2 the main valveoperating lever 3, which is provided, as usual, at one end with a weight, 4, and at the other end with an eye or hole, 5, to which is at tached one end ofthe pulling chain or cord 6, the other (lower) end ot which is connected to the water-closet seat or to a pull-handle or other device thereat. (N ot shown.) Projecting from the stand are two stops or pins, 7 and 8, to limit the movements of the lever 3, the said pins or stops being preferably covered with rubber sleeves 9, to subdue the noise which would be occasioned by the arms ofthe lever striking the stops in their vibrations. That arm ofthe lever 3 to which the chain is attached is formed in two parts, adjustable lengthwise of the lever, whereby the operating-chain may be set to work in different vertical planes and be adjusted relatively to the water-closet seat or pull-handle. rlhe arm properof the lever is slotted longitudinally at 10, and partially surrounding the same for a portion of its length is a sleeve or slide, 11, that is drilled with a hole, through which and through the slot is passed a headed bolt, 12. Anut and washer, 13, are provided for clamping the parts together after they have been adjusted to the desired positions.

Pivoted at 14 to the lever 3 is a depending link or arm, 15, to the lower end of which is coupled, at 16, a lever, 17, that is pivoted at 1S to one side of the bracket or stand. The inner end of this lever 17 is provided with a lifting device or iinger, 1S), that is hinged or pivoted at 20 by a knuckle-joint. The inner arm of the lever 17 is formed at its end with a beveled or slanting face to permit of an upward vibration of the lifting-piece and to prevent any downward vibration thereof farther than inline with the lever, which is its normal position.

Pivoted at 21 to the lever 3 is another depending link or arm, 22, jointed to the lower IOO end of which, at 23, is a lever, 24, that is piv oted at 25 to the other side of the center of the stand. A lifting device, 26, similar to that marked 19, but shorter in length, is knuckle-jointed tothe inner arm of the lever 24, and the latter is formedwith a beveled or slanting end, 27, similar to that described of the lever 17, and for the samepurposes. From the stand projects a perforated lug or ear, 28, through which the upper end of the valve- Operating rod 29 is worked and guided,'there being also a perforation in the base of the stand at 30, through which the lower end of this rod is valso moved and guided. The rod 1s formed or provided with a lug, (orother dev1ce,) 3l, and a cross pin or bar, 32, and its lowermost extremity is provided with a ring, 33, to which one end of a chain, (or other flexible suspending device,) 34, Vis attached, the other and lower end of the chain (or other suspending device) being attached to a loop or open frame-work, 35, at the upper end of the valve contrivance. Centrally of the Valve is a cylindrical or tubular portion, 36, threaded interiorly at its upper end and exteriorly at its lower end, and preferably cast with the same 1s a weight, 37, and an annular flange, 38. Between the lower face of the latter and a threaded nut, 39, is clamped a leather, or rubber ring or washer, 40, to insure a perfectseating of the valve. The loop 35 is formed with a threaded body portion or plug, 41, which is screwed into the upper end of the tubular portion 36 of the valve, and said body portion is perforated centrally, as shown at 42, and is ibrmedwith a neck or extension, 43, to which] is secured by a binding wire or cord a piece of oil-silk, 44, to act as a check-valve. By preference oil-silk is used and is so cut and so attached to the bottom of the plug as to cover the perforation and yet afford outlets ou two of its sides for water descending through the perforation. At one side vof the cylinder or chamber' 36 is a hollow interiorly-threaded arm or branch',

45, formed with a conical Valve-seat, from which extends inwardly to the interior of the cylinder 36 a port or channel, 46, and formed also with a lateral perforation or port, 47. A

threaded pin, 48, havingl a conical valve, is fitted within the arm 45, and is adapted to control the exit of water from the cylinder 36, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The valve-chamber 49 is formed at its lower end with a threaded neck, 50, by which it is securedto the bottom of the tank in the wellknown way. Cast integrally with the valvechamber is a lateral conduit, 51, into the upperend of which is screwed an overflow-pipe,

52. The valve-chamber is formed with a crossbar, 53, which is cylindrical at its center, and

` there supports a stem or piston, 54, which leather or packing, 57, for the purpose of obscrew, 55, engaging with a post, 56, a cup-v taining a water-tight joint between the stationary piston and its movable cylinder.

The mode of operation of the valve contrivance'may be here referred to. When the valve is seated u pon' the valvc-chamber 49, as shown, and water is admitted into the tank from the ball-cock, a portion of the iiuid will descend through the passage-way 42, and pressing upon the oil-silk covering 4 4,will bulge out the same, asindicated by the dotted lines at Fig. 7, and spread open the two unfastened sides thereof, from which said fluid will issue and enter the space or chamber between the packing 57 and the oil-silk valve, and at the same time a portion of the water will also enter said space by way of the ports 47 and 46, until the same is y y completely filled. effect a discharge from the tank, the space or chamber between the cup-leather and the oilsilk valve becomes longer and a ,proportionate amount of water is admitted through the 4inductiouport 42 and said valve 44. Vhen the valve is freed to enable it to descend to its fseat, and thus cut off the discharge from the effectually prevents any backing out of the The only way in` which said column can he diminished to itsy water through said port.

normal height, and the valve thus permitted to reseat itself, is by an escape of the water through the lateral ports 46 and 47, and this escape may, by means of the screw-down valve 48, be regulated to occur as slowly or as rap-- idly as desired by the adjustment of said valve stood. Of course the faster the water may es` Upon raising the valve tol l O5 relatively to its seat, as will be readily under cape by way ofthe ports 47 and 46 the quicker will the discharge-valve of the tank iind its seat, and by the construction shown it will beseen that the valve may be timed to descend at any predetermined rate of speed to effect the discharge of any given quantity of hushing-water.

The operation of the valve-lifting contrivance may now be referred to, it being understood that the arrangement shown is designed to aiiord both a preliminary and an after wash. Upon pulling down the chain (by means of thewater-closet seat, to which the lower end is now supposed to be attached) the outer arm of the main operating-lever 3 is vibrated ,downA wardly, carrying with it in the same direction the link 22 and the outer arm of the lever 24, the inner arm of the latter and the pivoted finger 26 being at the same time vibrated-upwardly. During the upward vibration of the finger 26 it engages with the under side of the lug 31 on the rod 29, and lifts it and the valve a certain height, when it parts company with the lug, (by reason of its travel in a circular path,) whereupon the rod and its lug and the IIO valve all descend by' gravity, the piu 32 coming to a bearing on the bracket and limiting the downward movement of the rod. When the valve was lifted, as just described, a quantity of Water was permitted to escape from the tank and give the closet-bowl a preliminary flush. -During the pulling down of the outer arm of the main operating-lever 3, and the raising of its inner weighted arm, the lilik 15, moving with it, vi brated downwardly the inner arm f the lever 17 and the iinger 19, and the latter, as it met the ascending lug 31, was tilted back at thcjoint 20, and rode over the saine in this condition. When the finger had passed down beyond the lng 31, its weight caused it to fall down suddenly, and its inner solid luglike portion striking against the extremity of the lever 17, the finger was arrested and held in line with said lever, as indicated by the dotted lines at the left-hand sideof Fig. 1. During the pressure upon the closet-seat it will be understood that the nger 2G is located above the lug 31, while the finger 19 is situated below it. Upon releasing said pressure and permitting the weighted arm ofthe lever 3 to descend, the finger 19 will come in contact with the lug 31 and raise the valve-rod and valve a certain distance, and then vibrate up past the lug and permit the descent of the rod and valve, during which the after-wash takes place. During the last-mentioned raising of the valve-rod the finger 26 was caused to descend, and when it met the upper surface of the lug 31 it was vibrated upwardly on its pivot-pin, and allowed the lug to pass by, after which it dropped down into the position shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 1.

At Fig. 2 is illustrated the construction and operation of the lever 24 and its lifting-finger, and it will be understood that the construction and operation of the lever 17 and its lifting-finger are substantially thesamc. The only difference is in the length ofthe ii nger. That marked 26, being employed to give a preliminary flush, (for which a comparatively small amount of water is required,) is shorter than that marked 19,l which is used to afford an after-wash, (for which a greater amount of water is neeessaryg) and it will be understood that owing to this difference in the lengths of the two fingers the one designated by the numeral 26 will not lift the valve as high as that marked 19, and hence the valve will reach its seat quicker when lifted and dropped by this finger than by the other one.

Then the valve-rod and valve shown and described have been lifted and dropped, it will be understood that the valve-rod willimmediately fall to its normal position, while the valve itself, guided by the piston-likeportion and cylinder, will descend slowly,its construction and the preseneeofthe flexible connection between it and the valve-rodinsuring and permitting this retarded movement. In cases where it is not desired to preliminarily flush the bowl the lifting-iinger 26 may be removed from the structure and the after-wash be obtained by means of the remaining linger.

Although I have shown my improvements in the valve lifting and dropping devices as combined with my improved valve, I desire it to be understood that I do not wish the same to be considered as limited to use in connection with said valve, for it will be evident that any other suitable valve may be employed in lieu thereof'. For instance, my improvements in the valve lifting and dropping devices may be used in connection with a valve oferdinary construction, working in conjunction with the usual siphon forming part of the tank apparatus in common use, and although I have shown my improved tank-valve as combined with my improved valve lifting and dropping devices, I wish it to be understood that other constructions of lifting and dropping devices maybe used in connection therewith.

As will be evident without particular' reference, any rise of water in the tank as high as the mouth ol the overflow-pipe will descend therethrough, through the conduit 51,through the valve-chamber 49, and down the pipe 58, leading to the closet, and an overflow of the tank thus be prevented.

TWhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is`- 1. 1n combination with a water-closet tank, its main operating-lever, and its dischargevalve, a valve-rod provided with a lug, anda secondary lever connected to said main operating-lever, and carrying between its fulcrum and the valve-rod a pivoted liftingfinger, as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with a water-closet tank, its main operating-lever, and its dischargevalve, a valve-rod provided with a lug, and secondary levers connected to the main operating-lever, one on each side of its fulcrum, and provided with pivoted lifting-fingers bel tween their .fulera and the valverod, as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a water-closet tank, the combination of a stand or bracket, a main operatii'iglever fulerumed therein, a discharge-valve, a valverod provided with a lng, a secondary lever fulcrumed in said stand or bracket and provided with a pivoted lifting-linger at its inner end, and a depending lilik pivoted at one end to the outer end of the secondary lever and at the other end to the main operating-lever, as and for the purpose set forth.

4L. In a watercloset tank, the combination of a stand or bracket, a main operating-lever fulcruined therein, a discharge-valve, a valve-rod provided with a lng, and two secondary levers fulcrumed in said stand or bracket, one on each side ofthe fulcrum ofthe main operating-lever, and provided cach with a k nuckle -jointed lifting-iinger at its inner end and two depend- ZOO ing links, one on each side of the fulcrum of 13o the main operating-lever, and pivoted te said leverand to the said secondary levers7 whereby both a preliminary and an after wash may be obtained, as set forth.

5. In combination with a water-closet tank, the stand or bracket, the main operating-lever, the valve-rod provided with a lug and guided in said stand or bracket, the discharge-valve, the flexible connection between said valve and the valverod, the valve-raisin g lever provided with theknuckle-j oi nted lifting-finger, and the connecting-link pivoted at its lower end to said lever and at its upper end tothe main operating-lever, substantially as described.

6. In combination with a watercloset tank, the stand or bracket, the main operating-lever, thevalvo-rod provided with a lug and guided in said stand or bracket, the discharge-valve, the flexible connection between said valve and the valve-rod, the valve-raising levers located one onpeach side of the fulcruin of the main operating-lever and provided with knucklejointed lifting-fingers, and the connecting-links pivoted to said levers and to the main operating-lever, substantially as described.

7. In combination with a water-closet tank and a valve lifting and dropping mechanism, a valve seat or chamber formed or provided with an upwardly-projecting stationary piston-like portion, and a discharge-valve for said seat or chamber, formed or provided with an upwardly-projecting tubular' or cylindrical portion, said tubular or cylindrical portion beingi formedor provided with an opening at its upper end, with a check-valve at said opening to admit water from above to said tubular or cylindrical portion when in its normal position and when the discharge-valve is being raised, but to prevent its escape at said opening when the discharge-valve is descending, and with an egress port located between the upper end of the piston-like portion and the check-valve to permit the escape of the water in the tubular or cylindrical portion upon releasement of the discharge-valve and during its descent to its seat or chamber, as set forth.

8. In combination with a water-closet-tank and a valve lifting and dropping mechanism, a valve seat or chamber formed or provided with an upwardly-projecting stationary piston-like portion,and a discharge-valve for said 5o.

seat or chamber,formed or provided with an upwardlyprojecting tubular or cylindrical portion, said tubular or cylindrical portion being formed or provided with an opening at its upper end, with a check-valve at said opening to act as described, and with a llateral branch or arm, which is provided with ports and a valve to work in connection therewith,

as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In combination with a water-closet tank and a valve lifting and dropping mechanism,

Aa valve seat or chamber formed or provided with an upwardly-projecting stationary piston-like portion, and a discharge-valve for said seat or chamber,formed or provided with an upwardlyprojecting tubular or cylindrical portion, said tubular or cylindrical portion being formed or provided with an opening at its upper end, with a check-valve at said opening to act as described, with an eye or loopfor attachment of ya chain or other suspending device, and with a lateral branch or arm provided with an egress-port, as set forth.

l0. In a water-closet tank, the combination, with a dischargevalve and valve-rodprovided with a lug, of a lever and a lifting-finger jointed thereto, the said lever having a slanting face which acts as a stop to prevent downward vi-Y V bration of the lifting-finger while permitting it to have a free upward movement, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

11. In a water-closet tank, the combination, with a discharge-valve and a valve-rod provided wit-h a lug, of a lever and a lifting-finger, the said lfting-nger being attached to the said lever by a knuckle-j oint constructed substantially as described, which holds it rigidly in one direction of movement of the lever, and which permits it to turn or tilt in the other direction of movement of the lever, the combination being such, as described, that during one movement of the said lever the said liftingiinger engages with said lng and raises said valve-rod and valve,and also releases them to permit their descent, and such that during the other movement of the said lever the said lifting-finger is turned or tilted back by said lng while passing the same, and when past and underneath it assumes a position to again raise said valve and valve-rod, as set forth.

12. In a water-closet tank, the combination, with the main operating-lever and the discharge-valve, of a valve-rod provided with a lug, a secondary lever connected to the said main operating-lever, and a lifting-finger, the said lifting-finger being attached to the Isaid lever by a knuckle-joint constructed substantially as described, which holds it rigidlyin one direction of movement of the lever, and which permits it to tilt or turn in the other direction of movement of said lever, the whole arranged to operate in the manner and for the purpose s et forth.

Signed at .New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 16th day of March, A. D. 1886.

' JOSEPH COLLETT.

Vitnesses:

ANDREW W. S'rmonn, J. FELBEL.

IOO 

